First off, I would like to say hello to everyone as I am new to the forum.Chevy hp has a good mag So I figured they must have a good forum. I am a mechanic from MT. And love to talk horse power.I currently have two projects that I am working on,First is my friends 1970 4x4 blazer witch was given to me by his mother after his death in a roll over accident. and the second is a chevy small block powered 1990 mazda rx7.
Recently I purchased the top end kit used on Horsepower tv's "bang for the buck" episode on ebay.On the show they put this kit on a zz4 short block and it made 406 hp and 379lbs. I cant afford the $2300 chevy wants for that short block, So I will have to build my own.Witch leads me to my question. what year block would I have to get to fit the roller cam and roller lifters? The portion of the show with the cam and lifters can be seen on youtube under, horsepower tv's bang for the buck.Thank you.  

Late 86 to 92 1 piece rear seal block found in 91 and back Vettes and up to 92 Camaros and Firebirds mostly,not pickups.These blocks have external flex and flywheels not internal like non-roller blocks.#2097 topend kit    WIEDER  

All 87-up blocks had the taller lifter bores for factory roller lifters, but the truck blocks didn't have the three bolt holes to retain the lifter spider machined. Truck blocks '96 to early '99 that had Vortec heads (not the LS based motors) came form the factory with roller cams, so the bolt holes are machined for the spider.

You can't use a block from a '93-up Camaro/Firebird or Caprice/Impala.

Best advice, look for an '87 - '98 truck block, if the holes for the lifter spider aren't machined, you can have the machine shop do it when they're working ont he block for you.  

Didn't know that truck blocks had provisions for rollers and not alot involved with conversion good to know.So it looks like you have more options besides mine.     WIEDER  

Does the spider have to be in place if the roller lifters have link bars like the ones for the earlier mentioned video. I ask, because when they install them on the show there was no spider when they put intake on.
Thanks  

No the spider doesnt have to be there if you are using retro fit lifters with link bars. If that is the style lifter you are using then you are not limited to your block selection either. Because the link bars take the place of the spider to keep the lifters true in the bore.